Auburn defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) gets in the facemark of Alabama running back Josh Jacobs (8) in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Auburn running back Malik Miller (32) dives ion for a touchdown against Alabama defensive back Deionte Thompson (14) in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Auburn wide receiver Ryan Davis (23) throws a pass for a touchdown against Alabama in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) carries the ball against Auburn in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Auburn running back Shaun Shivers (25) breaks a big run that is called back after a holding penalty during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Alabama leads Auburn 17-14 at halftime. Jake Crandall

Auburn defensive back Noah Igbinoghene (4) is taken down as he returns a kick off during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Alabama leads Auburn 17-14 at halftime. Jake Crandall

Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) has the ball slip out of his hands as he throws the ball during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Alabama leads Auburn 17-14 at halftime. Jake Crandall

Alabama defensive back Jared Mayden (21) his Auburn wide receiver Ryan Davis (23) and is called for targeting in second half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) carries the ball against Auburn in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) is face masked as he carries the ball against Auburn in second half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) carries the ball against Auburn in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

Alabama defensive back Shyheim Carter (5) celebrates a stop against Auburn in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018. Mickey Welsh

All the talk is that Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray and West Virginia’s Will Grier are garnering momentum in the battle for the Heisman Trophy.

You know, Murray’s weaving, accelerating 55-yard run through the West Virginia defense or the Mountaineers’ Will Grier passing for a mind-boggling 539 yards in 59-56 loss to the Sooners.

That somehow Tua Tagovailoa, the front-runner all season, had not had a Heisman-type moment because of all his superior plays came so early in games and that he spent most fourth quarters on the sideline.

Add Alabama’s first touchdown as another piece of evidence to his Heisman case.

Tagovailoa, who has been gimpy because of a knee injury much of the season, took the hand-off and rolled to his left. He lowered his shoulder on 7-yard touchdown run burrowing into Auburn’s Jamel Dean.

Or, how about his 21-yard scramble in the first quarter? Tagovailoa can do more than just pass … though his second-half touchdown throws to Jerry Jeudy, Josh Jacobs, Henry Ruggs and Devonta Smith were sweet. Just saying.

2. Can Alabama run the ball when it needs to do it?

It’s getting title time … the SEC Championship next week against Georgia, then possible a possible semifinal and national title game.

One thing championship teams need to do is run the ball when they to do it the most – at critical junctures when protecting the lead.

Can Alabama do that? That’s never been a question anyone needed to bring up with Alabama’s recent championship squads, but it does with this year’s undefeated squad.

It's funny how Nick Saban is revered as possibly the greatest college football coach of all time but he can't seem to win many Coach of the Year awards.

People's reasons for why are odd. He's got all the players (well, he recruited them didn't he?). He just rolls out the balls and let's them, play (You can't go there?). And, my favorite? They are expected to win. Doesn't everyone know how hard it is to win when you are every team's biggest game and to try to repeat as national champions?

Apparently not. Saban deserves to win the national coach of the year award this year.

It may be his best coaching job for many reasons. But the biggest being he replaced almost his entire coaching staff and the offense, defense and special teams (expect kicking ... well, that's always a problem) never missed a beat.

He takes 3-star talent and make it 5-star and 5-star talent and makes the players NFL first-rounders. That's why he's the best in the business and deserves the rewards now ... They shouldn't go to a coach that took a downtrodden program to an 8-4 season.